The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched a new Digital Markets Unit (DMU) to tackle online competition.

Assets under administration for Curtis Banks increased by 11% to £32.4bn in 2020 (2019: £29.1bn) including five months of contribution from the Dunstan Thomas acquisition and two months contribution from the acquisition of Talbot and Muir.

Octopus has agreed a deal to acquire Hatch Financial Coaching which it will rebrand as Octopus Moneycoach.

Scottish Widows technical and industry affairs manager, Johnny Timpson, has been appointed to the Financial Services Consumer Panel (FSCP) as he leaves the pension provider for an independent consulting career on 14 April.

Claims as a result of “toxic” investments within SIPPs could easily exceed £1bn, according to John Moret.

Schroders has launched a £4bn Investment Solutions business offering model portfolios and multi-asset funds.

Plans for a new executive pay scheme at Financial Planning firm and takeover target Tavistock have fallen through after shareholders failed to support the move.

Platform and SIPP provider AJ Bell has added the Aquis Stock Exchange (AQSE) to its online trading platform to expand the investment choices available for clients. 

Ambitious trust company Ludlow Trust has acquired the NatWest Group and Coutts UK trust businesses and will relaunch both under the Ludlow Trust banner. 

The insurance and long term savings has made a donation of £7m to mental health charities Rethink and Mind to help provide 3.5m people with mental health support during and post the pandemic.